Discussion Paper of 2008 2009 Annual Assessment Update Results
Spring 2010
Prepared by the NIU Office of Assessment Services
Each year, the Office of Assessment Services (OAS) at Northern Illinois University (NIU) requests an
Annual Assessment Update for each academic program within the Division of Academic and Student
Affairs. These updates provide the university with the opportunity to provide feedback to the programs
and to document systematically the ongoing use of evidence from assessment that demonstrates
students’ attainment of learning outcomes. Each fall, the OAS disseminates a report that highlights the
results of the annual update data analyses. Copies of the report are shared with all deans, associate
deans, chairs, and other interested parties. In addition, the report is placed on the agenda and
discussed in three major university committees: Academic Planning Council, General Education
Committee, and University Assessment Panel. The OAS also posts the report on the OAS Web site.
Feedback from the 2008 2009 Annual Assessment Update Results Report falls into two categories:
(1) recommendations for improvement of the Annual Assessment Update for the future and
(2) recommendations for use of the data from the report.
Recommendations for improvement of the Annual Assessment Update for the future
Use an online process for the submission of the Annual Assessment Updates.
The OAS is in its third year of a pilot with the College of Health and Human Sciences that uses BlackBoard
for online submissions of the Annual Assessment Updates. In the 2009 2010 submission, the College of
Business will be added to this pilot. Depending on the results, additional colleges may be added in 2010
2011.
In the letter requesting the Annual Assessment Updates and/or the letter containing the feedback on
the reports, include information on the previous year’s annual updates and feedback.
This request will be considered for future submissions. Depending on the results of the pilot discussed
above, it may be unnecessary because the online submission allows faculty to view all previous
submissions and associated feedback.
In the request and/or feedback letters, discuss examples of best practices in annual updates that have
been highlighted in Assessment Expos.
The OAS has posted examples of best practices that have been highlighted in Assessment Expos on the
OAS Web site. The feedback letter will include a link to this Web page. A hypothetical example of an
Annual Assessment Update is also posted on the Web site along with the Annual Assessment Update
form.
Meet with the curricular deans to discuss the importance of Annual Assessment Updates and any
obstacles or concerns faculty may be having with completing the updates.
This recommendation will be implemented in April 2010.
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Hold a workshop/session on completing Annual Assessment Updates.
This recommendation has been implemented in the past and was poorly attended. It will be
reconsidered in the future along with a plan to increase attendance.
Recommendations for use of the data from the report
Create more online ways for program faculty to review assessment data, including the Annual
Assessment Updates, in a more interactive manner.
The OAS has begun several initiatives in this area, including development of the Methods Matrix and the
Assessment Dashboard. Further research into this area will be pursued by OAS staff.
Use the Annual Assessment Updates to provide data for the General Education Committee on the goals
that are being addressed by the updates.
The General Education goals are currently under review. The OAs will revisit this recommendation when
the General Education Committee has implemented the revised General Education goals.
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